“You’re welcome to come in for a coffee.” Richard steps back to let us in.
I wish I had time to spend with my baby sister, but Bree cautioned me we’re on a tight schedule, so I have to pass. “We’ve got salon appointments, but I’ll definitely stop by over Christmas to play with this one.” I take Emilie’s chubby little hand in mine as I lean in to blow kisses on her cheeks.
“Lee, Lee,” she babbles, pulling on my hair and giggling.
“Love you, princess.” I shower her with kisses, as she wriggles and writhes in her father’s arms, before we leave.
* * *
Bree and I spend most of the day at the salon getting waxed and buffed and preened to perfection. I spent half my time snoozing and catching up on a missed night’s sleep while the staff stripped all the hair from my body, gave me a mani and pedi, applied a facial, and tidied up my brows.
I check my phone again, but Mom hasn’t replied to the message I sent her after I visited Richard, and I’m all out of patience. Bree drives us home while I place a call to Knight, pleased when he readily agrees to my request.
Ares’s motorcycle is parked beside my SUV when we pull up at the house a few minutes later, and I’m relieved. We haven’t spent any time alone these past couple of days, and we need to have a conversation. I plan to pin him down tonight, and no excuses will get him out of this discussion. I’m not getting married tomorrow without knowing where I stand with him and checking he’s okay.
I’m pleasantly surprised when Jase tells me Ares and Chad have been locked in the basement for the past hour talking things through, but there’s apprehension there too. Circling my arms around Jase’s waist, I peer up at him. “Are you sure they’re not beating the crap out of one another down there?”
He chuckles before pressing his lips to mine. “I’m sure. Things are different now the truth is out. They both have bigger things to worry about than a petty feud.”
“Can it work?” Sliding my hands up his chest, I curl them around his neck. “Can the four of us really make this work?”
“If that’s what you need, we’ll make it happen.”
I worry my lip between my teeth because Ares is still the wild card. The thought of losing him tears me to shreds on the inside.
There is no denying the truth any longer.
I love him and want him too.
There, I’ve said it.
Jase chuckles. “You love him.” I’m not surprised he read it on my face. I’m a terrible liar. Something I will probably have to get better at.
“I do,” I quietly admit.
“Good.”
I still struggle to accept it’s this easy. “You’re sure you’re okay with all this?”
“Baby.” Jase pulls me in tight to his body. “What makes you happy makes me happy. Having three men to protect you is better than two. I’m cool with Ares, and I think Chad will be too.”
“It’s not you or Chad I’m worrying about.”
“Ares will come around. He loves you too much not to.”
“I need to talk to him. I haven’t given him any of my attention in days, and I need to have an honest chat with him before tomorrow.”
“You’ll get your chance. Chad, Bree, and I are staying at my parents’ place tonight.”
“Why?”
He tweaks my nose. “It’s bad luck for the groom to spend the night with his bride before the wedding.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re not the superstitious type.”
“Some traditions should not be broken.”
I sense there is more to it, but I won’t argue. Time alone with Ares is much needed. “Okay.”
